Naked Branches

It's been a while . . .

Hmmm. I was going to say it's been a while since I wrote but I was instantly hijacked by those words.

2001.  Staind

" . . . it's been awhile

Since I've seen the way the candles light your face

And it's been awhile but I can still remember just the way you taste . . ."

That was a powerful year. Not my most graceful. But powerful. And now it's 2014. 

Belated Happy New Year.

Naked Branches 

The question is raised sooner rather than later.

Being human,

we seem driven to know

sooner rather than later -

"What is it you want?"

But the question is all wrong,
isn't it?

"Am I what you want?" 

is what's really being asked.

The question reduces me to tears

because to name it is to shake the leaves off . . .

and expose it . . .

and naked is scary.

But here it is

in spite of the fears. . .

in spite of the tears . . .

in the broadest brush strokes . . .

I want to love without reservation

and I want to be loved
in return
without reservation.

But there -

to want love in return concedes a condition and
renders reservation,

doesn't it?

Semantics or truth?

I don't know and I'm too tired to care.

What this flawed human wants

in my flawed human way

is to stand before you

naked branches and all

and be seen and loved and held

and to know there is a place 

with you

where I can exhale and relax and trust that

most likely

tomorrow you will still feel the same way.

And

 that you will stand before me

naked branches and all

and allow yourself to be seen and loved and held
and to know there is a place
with me
where you can exhale and relax and trust that

most likely

tomorrow I will still feel the same way.

That's all, really.